It seems like just yesterday when the Connecticut Huskies were battling it out the Butler Bulldogs for the National Championship. We all were watching as Kemba Walker led the Huskies in cutting down the nets last April, but it’s that time of the year again.

The start of the 2011-12 college basketball betting season has begun and it’s time to discuss the favorites and the dark horses for the 2012 final four in this upcoming spring. Let the 2011-2012 madness begin.

Xavier: (dark horse)

60/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

First Round

The first time team on our list suffered a first round exit a year ago. They are a bit of a dark horse, but when you have Tu Holloway in the back court, anything is possible. With Holloway, along with a couple of returning players that made an impact a season ago. plus a very solid recruiting class, and this team will have every opportunity to make some noise in March this season. Along shot worth taking a look at for the serious bettor.

Connecticut:

12/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

National Champs

They lost Kemba, but they still have the man that came up huge in that Championship game. Jeremy Lamb is the guy I am talking about here. He returns alongside Shabazz Napier and Alex Oriakhi. That trio will be expected to lead this team to a deep tournament run yet again. They will be joined by the incredibly talented Andre Drummond. He was able to receive eligibility a year earlier than they thought, and he will be a tremendous boost to the team. A lower risk wager here for a marginal return.

Duke:

12/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

Sweet 16

This team brings back a ton of talent for the 2011/2012 season. Seth Curry is the one that has people talking so far. He will be joined by Andre Dawkins, and Mason and Miles Plumlee who will likely make up four fifths of the starting lineup. The fifth member will no doubt be freshman Austin Rivers. A lot will be asked of him in his first, and possibly last college season. Young by talented this Blue Devils team could be a solid pick with a nice return.

Louisville:

12/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

1st Round

A young squad a season ago, whose season ended earlier than it should, will no doubt have the Cardinals motivated for a better finish this season. They bring back most of the talent from a season ago, and the group is highlighted by junior point guard Peyton Siva. The Cards will go as far as Siva can take them basically. They also bring in three key freshman that will all make an impact at some point this year. Wayne Blackshear, Chane Behanan, and Kevin Ware. A safer bet here, still with a decent return.

Syracuse:

8/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

2nd Round

This Syracuse bunch will be a force to be reckoned with all season long with their returning talent. The group is led by the trio of Brandon Triche, Scoop Jardine, and Kris Joseph. They also bring back project big man Fab Melo. A guy they hope to get a lot out of in his second season with the team. The Orangemen also brought in a couple of players they hope to get something out of right away. Wingman Michael Carter-Williams should be able to have an impact immediately in whatever role they ask of him with his talent, and the same can be said about big man Rakeem Christmas. A solid pick here.

Ohio State:

8/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

Sweet 16

The main thing that can be said for this Buckeye team is that they are bringing back Jared Sullinger. That will certainly almost instantaneously put them back into the Championship hunt. He is an outstanding player that would have easily been a top three pick in the draft had he entered. Be careful with this one. If Sullinger succumbs to injury, so may your wager.

North Carolina:

3/1 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

Elite 8

The Tar Heels have an incredible cast of returning players. This group is led by the trio of Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes, and Tyler Zeller. A threesome that is undoubtedly unmatched across the country due to their experience and their talent. However, despite all of the returning athletes, it didn’t stop Roy Williams from bringing in a couple of blue chippers for this season as well. P.J. Hairston and James McAdoo were both very highly touted players coming out of high school, and will unquestionably add to the depth of this very potent North Carolina attack. As always UNC is a big favorite, and this year may prove to be their best shot, and yours for a sure return.

Kentucky:

7/2 odds to win 2012 Final 4

Finish last season:

Final 4

The University of Kentucky is fresh off of a Final Four appearance, but because head coach John Calipari, seems to bring in one and done types and rarely returns much talent to build off of, that kind of performance may be hard to duplicate. This season however, they are returning three key contributors in Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, and Darius Miller. it will remain to be seen whether the trio will take a back seat in order to make room for the plethora of freshman brought in by Calipari, including Marquis Teague, Anthony Davis, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. It will likely take some time for this team to find their way, but as they grow, they will turn into the contender Vegas sees them as now. If you’ve got the patience, the Wildcats could pay big dividends.

Matt-Martz

Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian, the Oregonian, Springfield Republican, Sacramento Bee, and the San Diego Union Tribune. I leave handicapping to the pros. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.

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Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian, the Oregonian, Springfield Republican, Sacramento Bee, and the San Diego Union Tribune. I leave handicapping to the pros. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.

Falconer

Virginia at 200-1, SDSU at 100-1 and UNLV at 75-1 look great now! Fun to see how things change so dramatically since the start of the season!

Falconer

Virginia at 200-1, SDSU at 100-1 and UNLV at 75-1 look great now! Fun to see how things change so dramatically since the start of the season!

Falconer

Virginia at 200-1, SDSU at 100-1 and UNLV at 75-1 look great now! Fun to see how things change so dramatically since the start of the season!